Overview
The Psychology Works Consultation process is a collaborative approach used when an educational psychologist (EP) is involved in supporting children and young people as part of a graduated response.
The process draws upon the expertise, experiences, and active involvement of key adults such as school staff, parents, and other professionals.
The process aims to support understanding, result in the agreement and review of actions and ultimately to result in growing knowledge and confidence for key adults, and improved outcomes for children and young people.
Part 1: Before the meeting
It may support the conversation to bring along recent assessment information, to have considered intervention or provision that has worked or not worked, strengths, interests, or concerns.
To support everyone to feel comfortable to speak freely, you may be asked by the EP to provide a private space to host the meeting in school, or for the meeting to take place online.
Part 2: During the meeting
The EP will lead a meeting to share the experiences, expertise, and views of everyone involved and to develop a shared understanding of any concerns. They will produce a brief consultation record to include any agreed actions. A date will also be set for the review, which is typically 6 to 12 weeks later.
Part 3: After the meeting
Time will be given to allow the agreed actions to be put into place. This may include home or school-based actions or occasionally it could include actions for other professionals.
Part 4: Review meeting
The EP will lead a meeting to review each of the agreed actions. It is important that the key people who know the situation well, such as those who attended the first meeting, also attend the review for it to be effective.
The review may result in agreeing or adapting actions and setting a date for a further review, or in the end of the EP’s involvement.